NUCLEAR STRESS TEST

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT DURING A NUCLEAR STRESS TEST

A nuclear stress test measures blood flow to your heart muscle both at rest and during stress. It’s performed similarly to a routine exercise stress test, but provides images that can show areas of low blood flow through the heart and areas of damaged heart muscle.

What to expect when you arrive for your appointment: When you arrive the technician will apply electrodes to your chest and start an IV line; the technician will administer a nuclear isotope. You will be asked to return to the waiting room for a period of 30-45 minutes. At that time you will be told to drink some of the clear caffeine free carbonated beverage ( example, Sprite, 7UP, Gingerale, Tonic/seltzer water ) that you were told to bring with you. Doing this will help us get better images of your heart. Once the isotope has had time to circulate through your heart we will start the first part of your nuclear stress test, which involves taking pictures of your heart at rest while you are sitting in an upright chair-like position for approximately 4-6 minutes. You will then be told to go back out to the waiting room and wait for a brief period. Looking at these images, your cardiologist will be able to examine the flow of blood through your heart, and detect any areas of inadequate blood flow or muscle damage.